It’s been a bad week in the NBA for the Atlanta Hawks (lost 2 games and 1 W), the Boston Celtics (lost 3 of 4), and the Miami Heat (lost 11 in a row). It’s also been a bad week for Andrew Bynum (out 8 weeks with a dislocated kneecap), Nene Hilario (recovering from testicular surgery) and Joakim Noah (suspended by his own teammates).
But these are the obvious headlines.  Let’s look a little deeper and focus on 2 players and 2 teams who had a standout week over the past 7 days.
teams of the week
New Orleans Hornets
One of the great delights of the 2007/08 season has been the play of the ex-Charlotte, ex-Oklahoma City, Hornets.
At the start of the season, there were 9 Western ballclubs vying for the 8 Playoff berths; each of the 2007 incumbents plus New Orleans. Then, thanks to the stunning rise of the Portland Trailblazers over the past month, this placed even more pressure upon the success of a borderline .500 squad like Byron Scott’s Hornets.
Their response has been stunning.
Behind the superlative direction of Chris Paul, the all-round efficiency of David West and the athletic intimidation of Tyson Chandler, the Hornets are playing with an enthusiasm and confidence that makes them very difficult to beat. And whilst small forward Peja Stojakovic and shooting guard Mo Peterson may appear to be superfluous duplications of the ‘shooting wing’ component, both bring valuable leadership, experience and a winning attitude to the team.
All this encapsulates the broader charm of the Hornets - a young team that plays smart and doesn’t beat itself. New Orleans are ranked 2nd in the league in (least) Personal Fouls, an indication of the efficiency of their defense which, each night, prevents opponents from easy points at the free throw line. This emphasis on free throws applies on offense as well, the Hornets 5th in the league in team FT percentage at just under 79%. Furthermore, this team takes good care of the ball, ranked 3rd in (least) Turnovers, which is superb considering they are being quarterbacked by a 22 year old.
So despite their lack of home-crowd support, despite their oft-overlooked bench, and despite their modest expectations, this team has become more than just a legit playoff contender this season. Watch them.
The Hornets won 3 straight games this week, 6 of their past 7, and 11 of their last 13. Their 26-wins and 12-losses sits level with Dallas, level with the Lakers, and half a game ahead of San Antonio and half a game behind Phoenix for the best record in the West.
New Jersey Nets
Just 11 months ago, New Jersey turned down the opportunity to trade Jason Kidd to the Lakers and completely re-build their team. They decided against it partly because LA wouldn’t part with Bynum, but also because they simply couldn’t envisage getting this bad this quickly and needing drastic change.
The Nets lost each of their 3 games this week – scoring 9 points in the 4th quarter against Boston, shooting 33% in the 26 point loss to Portland, and missing 11 free throws in last night’s upset by New York.
What’s worse, each of these defeats came at home, after days off, where the Nets should have been well rested, well motivated and well prepared. They now depart on a nightmarish road trip – 6 games in 9 days – a stretch which will increase the pressure on their frustrating campaign.
And make no mistake, New Jersey are struggling. Their team defense, a traditional indicator of effort and desire, has been patently mediocre all season. And, despite the same roster that made it to the second round of the playoffs last spring, the 2007/08 Nets are mis-firing, mis-queuing and just plain missing.  They possess one of this generation’s greatest point guards and most explosive one-on-one scorers, but New Jersey’s offense is abysmal - ranked 27th in the league in FG%, 29th in 3FG% and ahead of only Minnesota and the Clippers in total points per game. And all this in spite of a career year from a healthy Richard Jefferson.
But why? The reasons are many (Kidd turns 35 in March, Carter is no longer in a contract year, Nenad Krstic is still hobbled, and the recent promotion of Josh Boone and Sean Williams into the starting lineup has weakened their defense and destroyed their productivity off the bench) but the solutions are few.  Coach Lawrence Frank and his staff have their work cut out for them fixing (or at least papering-over) these issues on the fly.
Jersey’s current losing streak places their record at a precarious 18-20, below .500 and just a game ahead of Indiana for the right to play Boston in the playoffs. Unless they break with tradition and make a daring move at the Trade Deadline, New Jersey may be better off missing the postseason entirely and getting a much-needed injection of freshness and talent via the draft. Or both.
players of the week
LeBron James
If LeBron wins the (first of how many?) MVP trophy this season, his play over the past week will be a large part of the reason why.
With KG and the Celtics struggling to re-gain momentum after their fast start to the season, James and the Cavs are hitting their prime. And as we saw last year, his good can be very, very special.
On Friday against Charlotte, LeBron scored a stunning 31 points, 19 rebounds, 8 assists, 3 blocks and 4 steals. On Tuesday against Memphis, LeBron scored an astonishing 51 points in 47 minutes. And on Thursday against San Antonio, LeBron hit the game-winning layup on his way to 27 points against the reigning NBA Champs.
Lest you think he did it all by himself (assuming averaging 36 points on 51% shooting and 12 boards on the week makes you to think that), LeBron’s 8 assists per night prove his teammates are there for him and that he is willingly giving them the ball.
LeBron’s game still needs some refinement – he commits too many turnovers and misses too many free throws – but these are obvious observations rather than fundamental criticisms.
And when you say that, by rights, an elite team like Cleveland shouldn’t need OT to defeat mediocre opponents like the Grizzlies and Bobcats it misses the real point, which is that Cleveland are in fact a medoicre ballclub themselves; it is the individual presence, the intense power and the immense productivity of LeBron James that permits the Cavs to win basketball games.
Valuable indeed.
Bassy Telfair
Sebastian Telfair, thanks for joining us.
yo, sup?
Does it concern you that you’re currently the starting point guard for the worst team in the NBA?
eh, should it?
This week, you scored 14 points and 18 assists. Total. In 3 games. Not averages, totals. On 32% shooting. Plus 6 turnovers.
so?
And no steals. None. In 100 minutes. Not one. And no 3-pointers either.
yeah?
Your team lost all 3 games this week by a combined 55 points, and have won just once in your past 12.
look, what’s your point?
How do you think your career has gone?
gone? I’m only 22. If I had gone to college for 4 years, I wouldn’t even be in the NBA. I’d be a rookie next season.
You’d not even be in the NBA?
yeah.
If you had gone to college?
for 4 years.
For 4 years?
yeah.
You’d not even be in the NBA.
yeah.
Sebastian Telfair, I’m afraid we’re out of time.
